In original terms, the April balance on goods and services was a deficit of $1,817m, a decrease of $432m on the deficit in March. Goods and services debits fell $585m (4%), while goods and services credits fell $153m (1%).

In the ten months to April, exports of non-rural and other goods were down $6.7b (9%) and rural goods were down $2.6b (12%) on the corresponding period in 2002-03.

Notes

CHANGES TO FORTHCOMING ISSUES

The May 2004 issue of this publication will contain an additional table which will provide the seasonally adjusted and trend estimates for services credits and debits. The additional table will be inserted as Table 6, which will result in the existing table numbers (Tables 6 through to 11) in this publication and in the electronic release of this publication to be re-numbered as Tables 7 through to 12.

The tables in this publication are presented on two bases. Tables 1-6 contain estimates of Australia's international trade in goods and services which have been adjusted for coverage, valuation and timing to a balance of payments basis. Tables 7-10 contain estimates of merchandise exports and imports based on Australian Customs Service records. Paragraph 5 of the Explanatory Notes provides an explanation of the difference between these bases.

Inquiries

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Artur Andrysiak on Canberra (02) 6252 6792.

Analysis and comments

BALANCE ON GOODS AND SERVICES

The trend estimate of the balance on goods and services in April 2004 was a deficit of $1,895m, a decrease of $3m on the deficit in March.

In seasonally adjusted terms, the balance on goods and services in April 2004 was a deficit of $1,808m, a decrease of $178m on the deficit in March.

EXPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES

The trend estimate of goods and services credits rose $95m (1%) in April to $12,082m.